A Car Points: 10/17/11

Porsche Cayenne, 2011

Porsche Cayenne, 2011

The new generation Porsche Cayenne made its world debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. Each model in the Porsche Cayenne range is a trend-setter in terms of efficiency and output and, compared with the former models, offers an increase in fuel economy of up to 23 per cent with more performance.

Lower weight
The selection of materials for optimum weight combined with changes in the overall concept of the Porsche Cayenne - such as a new active and extra-light all-wheel drive transmission - has resulted in the overall weight of the Porsche Cayenne S, for example, being reduced by 180kg. This weight reduction clearly has a very positive effect not only on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, but also on performance, agility, and handling. Consequently, the breadth of new features and new technologies throughout the Porsche Cayenne ensures that it offers greater driving quality both on- and off-road, together with enhanced safety and passenger comfort.

Greater efficiency
The new Porsche Cayenne has been developed according to the principles of Porsche Intelligent Performance: more power on less fuel, greater efficiency and lower CO2 emissions. Thisphilosophy is manifest in the introduction of a new Tiptronic S eight-speed automatic transmission featuring a wider spread of gear ratios, an Auto Start Stop function, optimised thermal management on the engine and transmission cooling system, on-board network recuperation, and intelligent lightweight construction.

Fresh Exterior Design and High Quality Interior
The new Cayenne is 48 mm longer than its predecessor. But despite its larger exterior dimensions, the design language of the new generation Porsche Cayenne represents a more compact and dynamic style. The fresh design of the new model integrates the Cayenne into the Porsche range and the sporting character of the Porsche Cayenne is clearly obvious, just as the highlights in the shape and design of the car so typical of Porsche are also clearly defined.

Extra space inside and greater everyday usability is ensured by a 40mm longer wheelbase. The most significant feature within the brand new, high-quality interior is the rising centre console that extends to surround the gearshift selector and which gives the interior the typical Porsche 'cockpit' character. In the rear, the seat bench can move forwards and back by 160mm and the backrest angle has three different position settings.

Range Summary
Not less than three of the five versions of the new Porsche Cayenne consume less than ten litres of fuel per 100 km in the New European Driving Cycle, and two models emit fewer than 200 grams of CO2 per km.

The Porsche Cayenne
The Porsche Cayenne range starts with the 3.6-litre V6 petrol-engined Cayenne. Power has risen to 300 hp, but fuel consumption has dropped by a fifth - in conjunction with the eight-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission - to 28.5 mpg Combined (9.9 ltr/100km) on the New European Driving Cycle.

Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid
At 193 g/km, the Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid is not only the cleanest version of the Cayenne with the lowest level of emissions, but also the cleanest Porsche throughout the Company's entire portfolio. The Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid features a 333 hp drive-train that returns fuel consumption of 34.4mpg Combined (8.2 litres/100km) and CO2 emissions of 193 g/km.

The 3.0-litre supercharged V6 and the electric motor, the Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid focuses on maximum efficiency from the overall power train system. Depending on driving conditions, the vehicle reaches this target with either only one drive unit operating independently or with both drive units working together. In this context the 34 kW (47 hp) electric motor is of course the ideal partner for the 333 hp compressor engine with its high torque at low speeds. Together, the two drive units deliver maximum output of 380 hp and peak torque of 580 Nm at just 1,000 rpm, with the same kind of performance as the Porsche Cayenne S with its conventional V8 petrol power unit.

The two drive units are connected to one another by a separator clutch masterminded by the Hybrid Manager computer. This separator clutch is essential to run the Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid either on its electric motor or combustion engine alone, or with both drive units operating together. Thus, under relaxed driving conditions, for example in a residential area, this allows the driver to cover short distances on electric power alone and therefore absolutely free of emissions (and with hardly any noise). Furthermore, it is possible to drive in this mode at speeds of approaching 40 mph (60 km/h).

However, to ensure fast acceleration when setting off, the electric motor may serve to provide additional thrust through its 'boosting' effect. Intelligent management of the separator clutch makes for an inconspicuous transition among the hybrid-specific driving modes, and one which is comfortable and quick for the driver. At the same time, the combustion engine may be completely switched off at speeds of up to 97 mph (156 km/h), being fully disengaged from the drivetrain when no further power is required. In this so-called 'sailing mode', cruising along without power, the drag forces exerted by the combustion engine and their braking effect are eliminated in the interest of lowering resistance and thus further benefitting fuel consumption.

Porsche Cayenne Diesel
The Porsche Cayenne Diesel has a 240 bhp (176 kW) three-litre V6 engine offering 550 Nm of pulling power. In the new car, this powertrain now offers 20 per cent lower fuel consumption, with a Combined mpg of 38.2 (7.4 ltr/100 km), increased from 30.4 mpg (9.3 ltr/100km). Consequently, CO2 emissions are 195 g/km.

Porsche Cayenne S
The maxim of more power on less fuel is demonstrated by the Porsche Cayenne S, which now features a 400 hp high-torque 4.8-litre V8 petrol engine. With 15 hp more than the prior model combined with greater economy, this new engine offers significantly better performance overall, just like all models in the new generation of the Porsche Cayenne. In particular, fuel consumption is down by 23 per cent, with a Combined mpg of 26.9 (10.5 litres/100km).

Porsche Cayenne Turbo
Greater efficiency is also an attribute of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo, with its 500 bhp (368 kW) twin-turbocharged 4.8-litre V8 returning 27.6 mpg Combined (11.5 ltr/100 km) in the New European Driving Cycle. This is once again 23 per cent less than its predecessor.

Porsche Cayenne Range Prices
    * Cayenne: £41,404
    * Cayenne Diesel: £44,178
    * Cayenne S: £53,693
    * Cayenne S Hybrid: £57,610
    * Cayenne Turbo: £81,589

Standard equipment on every Porsche Cayenne includes Porsche Traction Management (PTM) all-wheel drive, leather interior, dual-zone automatic climate control, front and rear parking sensors, cruise control, audio system with 7-inch touch-screen, eight-way powered front seat adjustment, 18" alloy wheels, front and rear electric windows, and a 100-litre fuel tank.

Porsche 911 Turbo S, 2011

Porsche 911 Turbo S, 2011

The engineers at Porsche have developed the new Porsche 911 Turbo S in response to customer demand for greater power, performance and driving dynamics. Building on the success and reputation of the revered Porsche 911 Turbo, at the heart of this most exclusive high-performance athlete is a 6-cylinder 'boxer' engine boosted by two turbochargers with variable turbine geometry.

An increase in horsepower over the Porsche 911 Turbo of 30 hp boosts peak output to 530 hp (390 kW) and maximum torque is a most impressive 700 Newton-metres (516 lb-ft). Despite its significant increase in power and dynamic performance, the new Porsche 911 Turbo S returns 24.8 mpg Combined (11.4 l/ 100 km) and as such offers identical fuel consumption to the regular Porsche 911 Turbo, making it by far the most efficient sports car in its performance class.

The Porsche 911 Turbo S comes exclusively with the seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) double-clutch gearbox - with steering wheel-mounted paddle shift levers - which conveys drive power to Porsche Traction Management (PTM) all-wheel drive. Driving enjoyment and safety is optimised to an even higher standard courtesy of the Dynamic Engine Mounts, and Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) including a mechanical limited slip rear differential.

In conjunction with the Launch Control function of the Sport Chrono Package Turbo that is also fitted as standard, the Porsche 911 Turbo S accelerates from a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 3.3 seconds and reaches 124 mph (200 km/h) in 10.8 seconds. Top speed is 196 mph (315 km/h). Lightweight and fade-resistant Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) provide the same outstanding performance in terms of stopping power.

The outstanding class and calibre of this first Porsche 911 Turbo S in five years, the supreme level of standard equipment also includes Dynamic Cornering Lights, 19-inch RS Spyder design wheels with centre lock nut, adaptive sports seats, cruise control, a CD/DVD changer and exclusive two-tone leather upholstery in Black/Creme or Black/Titanium Blue.

The new Porsche 911 Turbo S goes on sale from May 2010 priced from £123,263 in Coupe bodystyle and from £130,791 as a Cabriolet. Fitted to every Turbo S is a Porsche Vehicle Tracking System (VTS), a sophisticated vehicle security package approved to Thatcham Category 5 standard. Further technical and specification details will be confirmed nearer the on-sale date.

Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid, 2011

Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid, 2011

A Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid with innovative hybrid drive will be unveiled at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, taking the evolution of the iconic sports coupe to new levels in motor sport and opening a new chapter in an illustrious racing record that has witnessed more than 20,000 victories in 45 years.ts debut in Switzerland, the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid tested in long-distance races around the Nürburgring, Germany. The highlight of this test programme will be the 24 Hours race around the 14-mile Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit on 15/16 May 2010. However, the focus is not on the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid winning the race but rather serving as a spearhead for the technology and a 'racing laboratory' that will provide invaluable knowledge and insight on the subsequent use of hybrid technology in road-going Porsche sports cars.

The 110 years since Ferdinand Porsche - the company's founder - developed the world's first car with hybrid drive, the Lohner Porsche Semper Vivus, it is entirely appropriate that Porsche is once again employing this visionary drive concept in a production car-based GT racing programme.

The hybrid technology featured in the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid has been developed especially for racing, and is set apart from conventional hybrid systems in its configuration and choice of components. Uniquely, an electrical front axle drive with two electric motors each developing 60 kW supplements the familiar 480 hp (353 kW) four-litre flat-six 'boxer' petrol engine at the rear of the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid. Consequently, the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid has four driven wheels, offering even greater traction and agility.

A further significant point is that instead of the usual batteries of a conventional hybrid-powered road car, this 911 features an electric flywheel power generator - mounted inside the cockpit beside the driver - that delivers energy to the electric motors on the front axle.

The flywheel generator itself is an electric motor - with its rotor capable of spinning at speeds of up to 40,000 rpm - and stores energy mechanically as rotation, or kinetic, energy. The flywheel generator is charged-up whenever the driver applies the brakes, with the two electric motors reversing their function on the front axle and acting themselves as generators.

The driver is able to call upon this extra energy from the charged flywheel generator at his command for competitive advantage, such as when accelerating out of a bend or overtaking. The flywheel generator is slowed down electromagnetically in the generator mode and able to supply up to 120 kW to the two electric motors at the front axle from its resource of kinetic energy. This additional power is available to the driver after each charge process for approximately 6 - 8 seconds.

The Energy formerly converted into heat, and thus wasted, upon every application of the brakes is now converted highly efficiently into additional drive power.

Depending on racing conditions, hybrid drive is used in this case not only for extra power, but also to save fuel. This again increases the efficiency and, accordingly, the performance of the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid, by reducing the weight of the fuel tank or making pit stops less frequent, for example.

The Porsche Intelligent Performance
The Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid is a perfect example of the Porsche Intelligent Performance philosophy, a principle to be found in every Porsche and defined as more power on less fuel, more efficiency and lower CO2 emissions - on the race track and on the road. Already, customers can buy a Porsche 911 coupe with a six-cylinder 345 bhp engine which can return nearly 30mpg Combined and produces just 225 g/km CO2; a feat unrivalled in its performance class and just one example of the application of Porsche Intelligent Performance to maintain outstanding driving dynamics yet lower running costs and environmental impact.

Devising smart, individual engineering solutions to combine performance and efficiency with everyday usability is something for which Porsche is renowned, and is evident in such developments as lightweight body construction methods, Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) and the Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetreibe (PDK) double-clutch gearbox.